alberta made production grant guidelines version 2020/12 · alberta made production grant | version...

Published December 2020

Classification: Public

Alberta Media Fund

Alberta Made Production Grant Program Guidelines

Grant Deadline: January 16 and July 16 annually

Alberta Made Production Grant | Version 2020/12 1


Table of Contents

Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 2

Program Overview ................................................................................................................. 2

AMPG Process Flow .............................................................................................................. 3

Application Intake Windows ................................................................................................... 4

Submission Deadlines ........................................................................................................... 4

AMPG Eligibility Checklist...................................................................................................... 5

AMPG Required Documentation ........................................................................................... 6

Ineligible Genres .................................................................................................................... 6

Eligible Expenditures ............................................................................................................. 7

Expenditure Limitations/Ineligible Costs ................................................................................ 8

Successful Applicants ............................................................................................................ 9

Unsuccessful Applicants ........................................................................................................ 9

Changes to Production .......................................................................................................... 9

Payments ............................................................................................................................. 10

Additional Information .......................................................................................................... 12

Minister Rights ..................................................................................................................... 12

Retention of Records ........................................................................................................... 13

Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy .............................................................. 13

Definitions for the Purpose of AMPG ................................................................................... 14

2 Alberta Made Production Grant | Version 2020/12


Introduction

The Alberta Made Production Grant (AMPG) was created to support smaller budget productions in

Alberta. This program contributes towards the government’s goal of growing Alberta’s cultural industries.

The AMPG assists Alberta producers develop Alberta content and attract and maintain skilled labour by

providing employment for emerging talent and established industry professionals.

Recognizing that small budget productions have different funding needs than large budget productions,

the AMPG provides grant funding to help productions manage their immediate cash flow needs via an

interim payment. The AMPG supports smaller productions in remaining an integral piece of the overall

industry ecosystem in Alberta.

The objectives of the AMPG are to:

promote investment in the creation of smaller budget productions by Alberta producers;

support Alberta creatives by providing specialized support for emerging and established

producers working on smaller budget productions; and

provide cultural benefits to Alberta by supporting the creation of Albertan content and stories by

Alberta companies.

Program Overview

The AMPG was designed to provide grant funding to Alberta producers for projects with a minimum

eligible Alberta spend of $50,000 and total production budgets less than $499,999 CDN.

The AMPG is a competitive program with a limited budget and offers a 25 per cent grant on all eligible

Alberta labour and non-labour expenses to a maximum of $125,000. The AMPG has two intake windows

and applications will be assessed according to economic-focused evaluation criteria. The Minister

reserves final approval of applications and funding allocation.

Grant funds are paid in two installments based upon the completion of milestones. There is no limit to the

number of projects an applicant and parent company or affiliates can submit per window; however, should

the program be oversubscribed, the Minister reserves the right to limit the number of approvals granted to

an applicant or its affiliates, regardless of scoring, in order to fund a diverse portfolio of projects.

Projects that have received funding from the Film and Television Tax Credit Program, administered

through the Ministry of Jobs, Economy and Innovation, are not eligible to apply for the Alberta Made

Production Grant program.



AMPG Process Flow

The Minister has full discretion in the grant process and interpretation of these guidelines to ensure

funding is provided to those projects that most closely align with the intent of the program and ministry

objectives.

PRE-APPLICATIONPROCESS

•Review the AMPG guidelines and application intake deadlines

•Complete the Eligibilty Checklist

•Gather the required infomation and documentation

•Request an online profile via email for the online application system (GATE)

APPLICATIONPROCESS

•Application intake window opens

•Complete the online application

•Attach all required documentation

•Submit application

ASSESSMENTAND

EVAULATION

•Application intake window closes

•Department confirms completness of application and reaches out to applicant for any additional documentation or clarification required

•Department assesses eligibility of application

•Department scores eligible applications against criteria and ranks all eligible applications

APPROVALPROCESS

•Funding approval recommendation is made to the Minister within budget allocation

•Minister provides funding decision

NOTIFICATION

•Successful applicants are issued a grant agreement

•Unsuccessful and ineligible applicants are notified



Application Intake Windows

There are two annual applications intakes as follows:

Application Window Opens Application Window Closes

January 2 January 16

July 2 July 16

Only complete applications containing the required information as outlined in the checklist will be

accepted. If necessary, program staff will contact the applicant to obtain clarification on information

submitted. Applicants will be given seven days to provide the requested information. If the information is

not received in the allotted time, the application will be deemed ineligible for the intake.

The Minister of Culture, Multiculturalism and Status of Women, reserves the right to close, not open or not

fund application windows based on budget availability and government priorities without prior notice.

Submission Deadlines

Completed applications must be received by 11:59 PM on the deadline date via the online application

system. If the deadline falls on a statutory holiday or a weekend, the deadline will be extended to the next

business day at 11:59 PM. Applicants are encouraged to apply early in the application window.

It is important to note, program staff are available between 8:15 AM and 4:30 PM on regular business

days and will not be available for assistance outside of these hours.



AMPG Eligibility Checklist

Eligibility Checklist

Please review the full AMPG guidelines for clarification on the requirements below.

Applicant Company Requirements

o incorporated and in good standing with the Alberta Corporate Registry

o a minimum of 51 per cent Alberta ownership

o primarily engaged in film, television and/or digital media production

o in good standing in all respects with the Alberta Media Fund (AMF)

o not a broadcaster or distributor for the purposes of this project

Project Requirements

o new and not a repackaged or previously completed project

o not an ineligible genre

o has a total budget that is less than $499,999 (Alberta and Non-Alberta Costs)

o has a minimum eligible Alberta spend of $50,000 or greater

o creative material must be owned 51 per cent or more by the applicant company who must have

the rights to develop and exploit the project

o has a fully executed commercial license or distribution agreement through a non-related third

party company

o has a minimum of 50 per cent secured financing (including projected AMPG funds)

o the production must be protected by all industry standard insurance policies, including Error

and Omissions (with no exclusions)

o principal photography commenced no more than 180 days prior to the opening of the

application intake window or will commence within 180 days following notification of grant

approval

Next Steps

If you have met all of the above requirements, you may be eligible for funding under the AMPG.

Applications must be completed using the online application system and submitted during an open

intake window. Incomplete applications cannot be submitted.



AMPG Required Documentation

When applicable, the appropriate template available on the AMPG website must be used.

The following documentation is required to complete the online AMPG application.

Capitalization Table

o A Capitalization Table must be submitted for the applicant corporation, and any other

corporation involved in, or related to the applicant corporation

Fully executed commercial license agreement and/or distribution agreement

Chain of Title Document

AMPG Budget Form

Proof of Secured Financing

Ineligible Genres

Final genre eligibility decisions will be at the discretion of the Minister. Genres of productions and

platforms NOT eligible for funding include:

reality shows

magazine television

panel or talk shows

infotainment and advertising

news, current events or public affairs

lifestyle

productions in respect of game or contest

community access programs

a digital/online extension to a film or TV program

console or online video games

software/programming applications

productions that solicits funds

sponsored productions

productions, other than documentary, that consists of more than 25 per cent stock footage

pornography/adult entertainment

live music recording or concert events

sporting events or activities (a production that consists of live or pre-recorded coverage of a

sporting event, game, match, competition or tournament, and/or pre and post-games show for

sports events or activities)

fundraising productions, benefits, tributes, promotional productions, award shows and galas



Eligible Expenditures

Both Alberta labour and Alberta non-labour costs are eligible for grant funding. Costs submitted must be

essential to the production and incurred directly by the applicant for the funded production during the

eligible timeframe. It is the applicant’s responsibility to maintain all relevant documentation relating to the

production. This includes a separate general ledger (GL) of costs relating to the final cost report

with account codes that align with the budget template. The GL must be submitted with the final

reporting. The Minister reserves the right to determine the eligibility of costs.

Eligible Goods and Services

Must be purchased directly from businesses with a physical location in Alberta and must be

receipted and consumed in Alberta.

Must be directly related to the production and be considered a cost essential to the production

and incurred as a normal part of business.

Eligible Labour

Must be paid to individuals or companies who directly provide the service and who meet the

definition of an “Albertan” as per the guidelines.

Invoices, payroll records, employment contracts and proof of payment must be maintained for all costs

claimed.



Expenditure Limitations/Ineligible Costs

Expense Item Requirement / Limitation

Capital Items Capital purchases are not eligible.

Contingency Productions can include an amount representing a maximum of 10 per cent of

B+C on the AMPG budget sheet in the contingency amount. No contingency

amount will be accepted on the final budget sheet.

Deferrals for Financing

Purposes

Deferrals of salaries and overhead will not be considered as part of the

financing structure.

In-kind Contributions In-kind contributions are ineligible. In-kind contributions are goods or services

donated as opposed to goods or services that are purchased.

Living Expenses Reasonable living expenses may be eligible if travel for the project is required.

Living expenses for individuals who normally reside in the same area as the

production are not eligible.

Payments to Owners of

Applicant Corporations

Payments to owners of the applicant corporations (including affiliates) for

labour must not exceed 50 per cent of the total budget including the allowable

10 per cent producer fees.

Online Purchases

Related to Production

Online purchases will only be considered if invoiced from an Alberta vendor

with a physical Alberta location.

Overhead The bulk overhead deduction line may not exceed 10 per cent of the costs

listed in the B+C portions of the budget. This line item is intended to cover the

proportional ongoing costs associated with operation of the applicant company

that relate to the production.

In some instances a production company may need to incur additional

operational costs in addition to the allowable 10 per cent overhead allowance.

In these cases separate line items may be claimed, and if overhead is also

claimed back up will be required.

Producer Fees Producer fees may not exceed 10 per cent of the B+C portions of the budget.

Previously Funded

Costs

Any costs previously funded by the Alberta Media Fund (AMF), Alberta

Culture, Multiculturalism and the Status of Women and/or the Alberta

Foundation of the Arts (AFA) cannot be included in the calculation of Alberta

costs at the time of application or as part of the final submission.

Travel Travel is considered an eligible Alberta cost for Albertans only if the origin and

destination are within Alberta provincial borders. Travel is only eligible for

those individuals deemed as essential to the production.



Unpaid Costs A maximum of five per cent of the total final Alberta budget can be unpaid at

the time of final submission. A detailed list of unpaid costs must be submitted.

Costs must be actual and not estimates. The five per cent allowance does not

include costs payable to applicants, shareholders and affiliates. Unpaid costs

due to applicants, shareholders and affiliates in excess of 10 per cent of the

total budget that remain unpaid at the time of final submission will be deducted

from the grant calculation.

Successful Applicants

Applicants approved for funding will be issued an AMPG Grant Agreement. The grant agreement contains

information regarding applicant responsibilities as they relate to the grant. Applicants are responsible for

tracking obligations outlined in the grant agreement and meeting all reporting requirements. Failure to do

so could result in termination of the grant agreement.

Unsuccessful Applicants

Unsuccessful and ineligible applicants will be notified of the status of their application by email. Applicants

may contact the Cultural Industries branch via email at [email protected], to seek clarity on

the reasoning and rationale regarding their unsuccessful or ineligible application.

Changes to Production

Applicants are responsible for advising the AMF, within 30 days, of any material changes to the approved

production including but not limited to, scope changes, budget changes and significant production

schedule changes that will affect payment dates. A Production Change Form must be submitted via email

to [email protected].

Approval of change requests are at the discretion of the Minister and are subject to budget availability.

Decisions will be communicated in writing to the grant recipient. If the change request is denied and the

applicant is unable to complete the project as approved in the grant agreement, the grant agreement may

be terminated.

Failure to meet the terms and conditions in the grant agreement may result in the applicant being deemed

in breach of the terms and conditions, which may subsequently impact the applicant, shareholders and

the associated/affiliated corporations eligibility to receive further funding or result in a request for

repayment of funds already received.

mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]



Payments

The payment process is initiated following the completion of required milestones and subsequent report

submissions. Report submissions are reviewed and processed in the order they are received. Incomplete

reporting may result in payment delays.

Grants will be paid in two installments. Whenever possible payments will be based on milestone dates as

provided in the application. Payments may be scheduled on alternate dates based on budget availability

and in some instances will be made earlier than the scheduled date if deliverables have been received

and milestones completed.

Schedule “C” of the grant agreement will detail the scheduled payment dates.

Payment Type

Milestone Amount Milestone Requirements

Installment

Payment

Completion of

Principal

Photography

25 per cent of the Alberta

costs incurred to date to a

maximum of 75 per cent of

the total grant value.

Online report submission including:

• expenses incurred to date, and

• A Completion of Principal Photography form.

Final

Payment

Completion of

the production

The lesser of:

• the remaining approved

grant amount minus any

installment payments; or

• The final grant

calculation of 25 per cent of

eligible Alberta costs,

minus any installment

payments.

Online report submission including:

• the completed AMPG Budget spreadsheet,

• a copy of the General Ledger,

• the Final Project Declaration form, and

• A physical copy of the production.

Note: Grant funds may only be assigned to a recognized financial or lending institution. Requests must be

made via email to [email protected] and include the Notice of Assignment Form and any other

financial institution specific documentation.

Installment Payment

In most instances, the installment payment is scheduled the month following the principal photography

completion date stated in the application.

To request the instalment payment the applicant must:

Complete the online report, including expenses incurred to date

Attach the Completion of Principal Photography Form

mailto:[email protected]



Final Payment

The final payment is usually scheduled one month following the projected delivery date provided by the

applicant. The payment will equal the remaining balance of the total eligible grant per final Alberta cost

calculation less the installment payment.

To request the final payment, the applicant must:

Complete the online (GATE) report

Attach an updated copy AMPG Budget spreadsheet

Attach a copy of the General Ledger

Attach a copy of the Final Project Declaration

Along with online reporting, applicants must provide a physical copy of the finished production on a DVD,

Blu-ray, or USB flash drive to:

Alberta Media Fund 140 Whitemud Crossing 4211 106 Street Edmonton, AB T6J 6L7

For auditing purposes, links to online versions of productions cannot be accepted. The program area

reserves the right to make the determination whether an online version can be accepted to trigger a

milestone payment should it be considered low risk to do so and an applicant attests to the intended

delivery of the physical copy.



Additional Information

These guidelines are for the information and convenience of applicants to the AMPG. They provide an

overview of the objectives of the AMPG and the manner in which the program is administered. Applicants

are responsible for tracking obligations as defined in these guidelines as well as the executed grant

agreement to ensure they remain compliant throughout the grant lifecycle.

Projects that are approved for AMPG funding are subject to the guidelines in effect at the date of grant

approval. The guidelines form Attachment “A” of the grant agreement. Changes to guidelines and/or

policies will not apply retroactively, unless specifically stated.

The AMF may request documentation and information to conduct assessments and/or evaluations at any

time during the grant lifecycle, however; the AMF reserves the right to rely solely on the information

provided by the applicant at time of application.

If, at any time, an applicant provides false information or omits material information in connection with an

application, as required by the guidelines or as requested by the AMF, the applicant may face

consequences, including:

loss of eligibility for funding of current project(s)

loss of eligibility for funding of future productions

repayment of any funds already advanced

Any applicant receiving approval for funding will be required to sign a legally enforceable grant

agreement, which includes further provisions concerning misrepresentations, defaults, and related

matters. Grant recipients must review their grant agreement carefully prior to signing.

Minister Rights

Pursuant to the Community Development Grants Regulation, the Minister is empowered to make grants

to a person or organization for purposes related to any program, service or other matter under the

administration of the Minister.

The Minister reserves the right to require an audit of the books and records of any applicant company that

receives funding through the AMPG. These records may include, but are not limited to: invoices; payroll

records; bank statements; cancelled cheques; audited financials; agreements; contracts with individuals

and companies and proof of Albertan residency declarations.

The Minister of Culture, Multiculturalism and Status of Women has full discretion in the administration of

programs supported through the AMF and in the application and interpretation of these guidelines to

ensure funding is provided to those projects that contribute to the fulfillment of program objectives. In all

questions of interpretation of these guidelines, the interpretation of the Minister will prevail.

The Minister may decline to accept applications or delay/refuse funding to those applicants undergoing

audit, compliance review or investigation.



The Minister may also vary the eligibility requirements for a grant, the purpose of a grant or a condition on

which a grant is made.

The Minister reserves the right to make funding decisions regardless of scoring to ensure support to a

diverse portfolio of productions.

Retention of Records

Retention of records is required for a period of seven years from the date of final payment.

Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy

The personal information that is provided on the grant application form will be used for the purpose of

administering the AMPG and advising the applicant of grant program updates and relevant ministry

initiatives. It is collected under the authority of section 33(c) of the Freedom of Information and Protection

of Privacy Act (FOIP Act) and is protected by the privacy provisions of the FOIP Act.

The FOIP Act applies to any information that is provided to Alberta Culture, Multiculturalism and Status of

Women. This information may be disclosed in response to an access request under the FOIP Act, subject

to any applicable exceptions to disclosure under the FOIP Act.

Please note, once an application has been approved and funding issued to an organization, the grant

recipient, approved expenses, amount funded, community/city, and fiscal year become a matter of public

record. Information on grants awarded by Government of Alberta programs is published on the

Government of Alberta Grant Payments Disclosure database at the following link:

http://www.alberta.ca/grant-payment-disclosure.cfm

Occasionally, the Ministry may contact applicant organizations to provide information about initiatives or

announcements related to the following topics:

Grant program changes, funding announcements and opportunities to provide input/opinion on

programs.

Awareness of Ministry resources available to the non-profit/voluntary sector including Ministry

sector events.

Only authorized contact representatives noted in the grant application may request specific information

about grant applicants from the AMF office. For questions about the collection and use of this information,

please email [email protected].

mailto:[email protected]



Definitions for the Purpose of AMPG

Affiliates Affiliates is used to indicate a relationship between corporations where:

one is a subsidiary of the other;

both are subsidiaries of the same corporation;

both are controlled by the same person or the same group of persons; or

one of them is controlled by one person and an associate controls the other.

Albertan A lawful resident of Alberta for the purposes of the Income Tax Act Canada:

was a resident of Alberta on December 31st of the year preceding the one in

which principal photography of the production commences or commenced; and

files an Alberta Income Tax return as a resident of Alberta and did so for the

previous income tax year immediately preceding the one in which photography

of the production commences or commenced.

Applicants are responsible for obtaining Alberta Residency declaration forms for all

employees claimed under the AMPG. These do not need to be submitted to the AMF

unless requested.

Chain of Title The Chain of Title documentation confirms the copyright owner(s) of a production

including rights to develop, produce and distribute a production.

It provides a complete description of the production’s development history from the time

of initial development of the story idea to the writing of the final script. The types of

documents required may include option agreements, transfer agreements, licence

agreements, script purchase agreements or script writing agreements.

Commercial

License

Agreement

An agreement issued by a third-party entity whose primary business is broadcasting,

distributing or disseminating film, television or digital content to the public, and who is

able to demonstrate a track record of such enterprise.

A commercial license agreement does not require a license fee.

Purchased airtime and/or in-kind exchange are ineligible.

Pay-per-view platforms are ineligible.

Other forms of distribution may be considered. Requests for consideration must be

provided prior to the intake window opening and the application submission.

A fully executed commercial license agreement or fully executed distribution agreement

is required at the time of application.



Financing A copy of the calculation sheet is required for all anticipated funding from other

government funders that will be used to meet the 50 per cent financing requirement.

Funding from private sources requires a letter of funding commitment accompanied by a

redacted bank statement or letter from the financial institution demonstrating that the

funds are available.

Deferrals by producers or applicant parties will not be accepted as proof of financing.

Indigenous

Peoples

This is a collective name for the original peoples of North America and their

descendants. Often, 'Aboriginal peoples' is also used. The Constitution Act 1982 defines

the Aboriginal people of Canada as including “Indian, Inuit and Métis”. These are three

separate peoples with unique heritages, languages, cultural practices, and spiritual

beliefs, histories and political goals.

Intellectual

Property

According to the World Intellectual Property Organization, intellectual property (IP) is a

creation of the mind. IP includes inventions, literary and artistic works, designs and

symbols, and names and images used in business. Copyright falls under the umbrella of

Intellectual Property.

Primary

Engagement

A business is primarily engaged in a business activity if the result obtained from the

following formula for the previous taxation year is greater than 0.5:

Activity Assets + Activity Expenses

Total Assets + Total Expenses

Activity Assets = the value of assets of the business used in Alberta in the business

activity;

Total Assets = the total value of all assets of the business;

Activity Expenses = all expenses incurred during the previous fiscal year with respect to

the portion of the business activity carried on in Alberta;

Total Expenses = the total of all expenses incurred during the previous fiscal year with

respect to all operations of the business.

Producer A Producer for the purposes of the grant is defined as an individual:

whose primary business is developing, producing, marketing and exploiting

digital/interactive content, theatrical films and/or television and/or web series

programs;

who controls and is a central decision-maker in respect of the production; and

who is directly responsible for the creative and financial control and exploitation

of the production.



Project A segment of content intended for broadcast or distribution and may include a single

production or a series of related productions that are produced or aired over a common

time period.

Related

Parties

Related parties exist when one party has the ability to exercise, directly or indirectly,

control, joint control or significant influence over the other.

Two or more parties are related when they are subject to common control, joint control or

common significant influence. Related parties also include management and immediate

family members.

Related Party

Transaction

A related party transaction is defined as transfer of economic resources or obligations

between related parties or the provision of services by one party to a related party,

regardless of whether any consideration is exchanged.

When the relationship arises as a result of the transaction, the transaction is not one

between related parties.

Related Party Labour: The cost of labour (i.e., salaries or fees) for individuals hired by a

related party and allocated, in whole or in part, to the applicant for the project must

correspond to the actual amount paid to the individual and be in accordance with the

employment or engagement contract signed with the employer.

Related party labour costs must correspond to the actual cost for the period of

time worked on the project.

If personnel worked on more than one project for a related party and is paid by

the related party, there must be appropriate documentation showing the

amounts charged to all projects.

Goods and Services supplied by Related Parties: Goods and services provided to the

applicant by a related party may be accounted for at the exchange amount up to a

maximum of fair value.

Goods and services supplied by a related party must have commercial

substance and be in the normal course of operations of the provider.

All related party transitions must be declared at the time of application and at

final reporting.

Appropriate documentation must be maintained showing transfer/payment of

funds and fair market value for the duration of the project.

Any costs claimed for related party transactions cannot exceed the fair market

value for the goods, services and/or labour.

Applications with related party transactions greater than 60% of the total budget

(including overhead and producer’s fees) may be required to provide detailed

cost rationale and may be subject to reduction of the final grant amount.



Expenses must meet the following criteria:

Be listed on budget form;

Be in the normal course of operations of the provider; and

Have commercial substance.

Related Party Transactions must be identified at the time of application, and upon final

reporting.

All non-labour related party transactions require submission of 2 non-related party

quotes. The related party transaction will be paid at the average of the 2 quotes or the

requested cost, whichever is lower.

Program staff reserve the right to revise the calculation and eligibility of related party

costs if deemed inappropriate and/or unreasonable. Applicants granted approval of

related party costs must be able to reasonably demonstrate that the costs were incurred

and paid.

alberta made production grant guidelines version 2020/12 · alberta made production grant | version...

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